Schneider Electric exposes America's hidden water crisis and calls for smart infrastructure action at Climate Week

As a global leader in sustainable infrastructure, Schneider Electric saw an urgent disconnect between awareness of water risks and the actions being taken to address them.

Water is the backbone of U.S. economic strength, yet 20% of treated water — 7 billion gallons a day — is lost through leaky pipes, and 260,000 water main breaks cost billions annually. Schneider Electric helps cities and businesses turn water infrastructure from a hidden liability into a strategic advantage through real-time leak detection, digital twins, and automation.

To better understand priorities and barriers, Schneider commissioned NewtonX to survey leaders across major industries and city and state government agencies.

Schneider Electric and NewtonX surveyed 201 U.S. leaders to uncover how cities and businesses are preparing for the future of water infrastructure

NewtonX surveyed 201 U.S. leaders in August 2025, including 159 senior business executives from enterprises with 1,000+ employees and 42 city and state officials overseeing infrastructure and operations.

The research revealed a sharp disconnect between recognition of the problem and readiness to solve it. While 60% believe water-related risks will outpace all other infrastructure threats — and two-thirds say near-term upgrades are critical — few organizations are acting decisively.

Key findings:

• Execution gap: While most leaders have a water strategy, only 1 in 10 fully implement it, citing budget constraints, operational pressures, and lack of real-time data.
  
• Security concerns: 25% cite cybersecurity vulnerabilities as a barrier to deploying digital solutions.
  
• Competing priorities: Business leaders place three times more emphasis on cost reduction and digital transformation than on water resilience.

The takeaway: awareness is high, but meaningful execution remains limited — putting economic growth and future resilience at risk.

Schneider Electric launched new water research at Climate Week 2025 to catalyze action across the public and private sectors

The research debuted during Climate Week NYC 2025, positioning water modernization as a core pillar of climate resilience and economic growth. Coverage of the key findings across industry publications such as WaterWorld, WaterTech Online, Stormwater, and Sustainability Magazine amplified a central message: closing the gap requires investment, smarter technology, and public-private collaboration.

"Water is not just essential for life — it’s the backbone of America’s economic strength — yet today the U.S. is facing a major water crisis. We have a clear opportunity and collective responsibility to embrace smarter water strategies to protect economic growth and urban resilience."
—Sophie Borgne, Water & Environment Segment President, Schneider Electric.

The research has become a reference point for policymakers and industry leaders, providing a data-driven benchmark for assessing readiness and prioritizing investment. It continues to inform planning agendas, guide infrastructure funding, and position Schneider Electric as a trusted advisor in strengthening the nation’s water resilience.